Puna Shooting Suspect Released from Police Custody
Richard R. Edwards, who was arrested in connection to a fatal shooting that occurred late Monday afternoon in the Kapoho Beach Lots subdivision of Puna, has been released from police custody.
The Hawai’i Police Department announced Thursday morning that after conferring with prosecutors, detectives released 72-year-old Edwards at 3:50 p.m. Wednesday, pending further investigation.
Edwards was arrested at the scene Monday on suspicion of second-degree murder. He was held at the Hilo Police cellblock until being released.
The victim, identified Wednesday as Bryan Lynn Thomas, reportedly died of gunshot wounds to the abdomen and chest, according to a medical examiner.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting should call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Dean Uyetake directly by calling 961-2379 or e-mailing dean.uyetake@hawaiicounty.gov.